Paris's iconic Eiffel Tower, renowned as one of the world's premier tourist destinations, faced an unexpected closure on Monday as staff initiated a strike, citing grievances over financial management practices.
Unions representing the workers informed AFP that the strike action was prompted by concerns regarding the monument's financial management, hinting at the possibility of extending the strike if their demands are not met.
SETE, the operator of the Eiffel Tower, confirmed that "visits of the monument will be disrupted on Monday" through an announcement on its website, advising potential visitors to check for updates before planning their visit or to consider rescheduling. Additionally, e-ticket holders were urged to monitor their emails for further instructions.
This marks the second strike within two months at the Eiffel Tower, with unions condemning SETE's business model, alleging an overestimation of future visitor numbers coupled with underestimation of construction costs. The ongoing dispute underscores underlying tensions between management and staff regarding the monument's financial sustainability.
The Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Parisian culture and history, typically draws nearly seven million visitors annually, around three-quarters of them foreigners, according to its website.
Despite a sharp decline in visitor numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic due to closures and travel restrictions, figures rebounded to 5.9 million in 2022. Anticipation for a surge in visitor numbers is high this summer as Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games.
In a collective statement, the CGT and FO unions appealed to the city of Paris to adopt a pragmatic approach to financial negotiations, emphasizing the importance of securing the monument's future and the livelihoods of those involved in its operation. The strike serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between preserving cultural heritage and addressing contemporary financial challenges in the tourism industry.
